Gas producer



5 sheslns-sheb l Apr. 3, 1923.

E. H. WILSON GAS PRODUCER Filed Aug. 21, 1920 Apr. 3, 1923.

E. H. WILSON GAS PRODUCER Apr. 3, 1923. 1,450,767

E. H. WILSON GAS PRODUCER Filed Aug. 21, 1920 5 sheets-sheet 5 E. H. WILSON Apr. 3, 1923.

GAS PRODUCER Filed Aug. 21, 1920 5 sheets-sheet 4 E. H. WILSON GAS PRODUCER sheets-sheet Filed Au 21. 1920 PF COVE/T m 1 m 0 Kim Patented Apr. 3, i923.

EDGAR H. WILSON, OF CHARTIERS TOWNSHIP, ALLEGHENY COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO TAYLOR-WILSON MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF MOKEES ROCKS, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA.

GAS PRODUCER.

Application filed August 21, 1920.

To all 'LU/IOWL it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDGAR H. lVILsoN,

a citizen of the United States, residing at Chartiers Township, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Gas Producers, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

The present invention relates broadly to gas producers and more particularly to covers or tops provided with mechanism for automatically controlling the feed and distribution of coal into and within the body of the producer.

An important object of the present invention is to provide mechanically operated means which may be easily applied to producers of the hand operated type largely in use at the present time, for performing the feeding and distributing operations in proper sequence without any manual attention.

A further object of the present invention is to provide means for admitting the supply of coal automatically to the producer without permitting the escape of gases therefrom.

Still a further object of the invention is to provide mechanically operated means for supplying the coal and then distributing the same, the supplying and distributing mechanisms being timed to maintain a predetermined relationship throughout the cycle of operation.

Another object of the invention is to provide a construction of the type described adapted to be easily disassembled, and having all of the operating parts adjacent the main body of the producer continuously cooled to prevent burning out.

A still further object is to provide a mechanism of this character, which will not be affected by tar and heat.

The foregoing and other objects, together with their attendant advantages, will be apparent as the invention becomes better understood, by reference to the accompanying specification and drawings forming a part thereof, it being premised that changes may be made in the various details and the manner of operation, within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

" Figure 1 is a plan view partly broken Serial No. 405,151.

away of a gas producer constructed in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 2 is a side view of the upper portion of the producer illustrated in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an enlarged detail view, partly in section, of one of the feed hoppers;

Figure 4 is an enlarged detail view, partly in section, illustrating one of the gate valves and operating mechanism therefor and its relation to the feed hopper;

Figure 5 is an enlarged vertical section on the line VV of Figure 1 looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 6 is a transverse sectional view on the line VIVI of Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a transverse sectional view on the line TUE-VII of Figure 5;

Figure 8 is a sectional view on the line VIH-VH1 of Figure-1; and

.liigure 9 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the respective times of operation of the various elements.

In gas producers of this general type as ordinarily constructed and used at the present time, it is customary to control the feed of material into the body of the producer by operating the bells manually and to distribute the fuel by inserting a poker through poke hol s provided in the cover. By the present invention the manual labor heretofore required is entirely eliminated and a mechanical means is provided-for performing all of the hand operations and requiring but little change to adapt it to standard producers.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, there is indicated a producer body 2 of any desired construction having a metallic cover 3 provided with a series of suitably dis posed poke openings or peep holes a. Sun rounding the cover is an upstanding flange 5 and surroimding each of the peep holes is an upstanding flange 6, these flanges being adapted to prevent the overflow of 'water into the body of the producer as will be described more fully hereinafter.

In the embodiment of the invention'illustrated the cover is provided with diametrically opposite openings 7, having surrounding flanges forming supporting shoulders 8 for sleeves 9.

Suitably secured to each of the sleeves 9 is a hopper 10, each having a cover 11 closely fitting the same and preventing the escape of gases from the interior .of the producer body. Co-operating with the sleeves 9 are bells 12 adapted to seal the lower ends of the sleeves and automatically operated in timed relation with the covers 11 as will be described hereinafter.

Extending transversely of the cover 3 is a drive shaft 13 adapted to be driven from any suitable source of power not shown, and provided with a worm 1a meshing with a worm wheel 15 on a second shaft 16 arranged at right angles to the driving shaft. The shaft 16 may be supported for rotation in suitable bearings 17 on the cover.

Each end of the shaft 16 is preferably provided with mechanism for controlling the respective hopper adjacent thereto and as these mechanisms correspond in construction and operation one to the other, but one of them will be described in detail. Inasmuch, however, as the feed hoppers are at diametrically opposite sides of the cover of the producer in the form illustrated, the mechanisms are preferably so positioned or offset that the respective operations occur at 180 intervals as will be apparent. The amount of off-set and the resulting interval will, of course, be varied as the number and arrangement of hoppers is changed. Each of these mechanisms comprises a cam 18 having a cam groove 19 formed therein for receiving the roller 20 carried on the outer end of an arm 21 secured to a vertical shaft 22 rotatably mounted in a suitable bearing 23 supported by the hopper 10. At its upper end each of the shafts 22 carries an arm 24, having a slot 25 in the outer end thereof receiving a pin 26 pro ect1ng upwardly from the outer end of a crank arm.

.27 rotatable about the axis 28 for operatmg a second crank arm 29 having an attach- ,ment 30 with the cover 11, Due to this construction it will be apparent that as the shaft 16 is rotated, each of the covers 11 will be moved from the position illustrated for the left hand hopper in Figure 1 to the position illustrated for the right hand hopper in said figure and then returned to its initial posltions, a complete cycle comprising anopening and closing movement occurring once for each revolution of the shaft 16.

Co-operating with each of the cams 18 is a second cam 31, carried by the shaft 16 and adapted during rotation in a clockwise direction as viewed in Figure 3 to engage the roller 32 in the arm 33 having a pivotal mounting 34. in the side of the hopper 10 and at its free end having a link connection 35 with the bell 12. Also secured to the pivotal mounting 34 is a suitable counterweight 36 adapted to normally maintain the bell in its closed position. It will be apparent, however, that through the mechanism provided the action of the counterweight will be intermittently overcome and the bell 12 lowered out of engagement with its sleeve 9. The high point of the cam 31 is preferably positioned in such manner as to be effective at substantially from its co-operating cam groove 19, whereby the beli is never opened until the cover is completely closed, this operation being necessary to prevent the escape of gases from the producer. Positioned above each of the hoppers 10 is a feed chute, or similar device 37 having the discharge opening 38 normally closed by a gate valve 39. For operating these gate valves in unison with the respective cover 11, above which they are located, so as to discharge fuel into the hopper when the cover 11 is in its open position, there may be provided a third cam 40 having a cam groove etl therein, co-operating with the roller 12, carried by the lower end of the lever 13 having a pivotal mounting as and connected at its upper end by suitable links 15 with the gate valve 39. The cam groove 4-1 is preferably so shaped that the opening and closing movementof the gate valve 39 occurs in less time than the opening and closing movement of the cover '11, as clearly shown in Figure 9, whereby no coal is discharged into the hopper until the cover is in its full open position and the discharge is cut oil before the cover corn-. mences to move to its closed position. The number of degrees illustrated in Figure 9 for each of the operations may, however, be changed as desired to suit the particular conditions involved.

Intermediate the feed openings 7, there is positioned a distributing mechanism comprising a poker 16 having its lower end i? bent at right angles to the main body thereof. For supporting the po er in its operative position, the cover 3 is provided with a bracket i8 projecting upwardly therefrom and partially surrounding the poker as clearly shown in Figure 1. This bracket is in turn adapted to form a bearing 49 for the tubular casing 50 having its end 51 enlarged and provided with a polygonal. exterior surface adapted to slide within the sleeve 53 to which is secured a driving worm wheel 5- meshing with a driving worm on the shaft At its upper end the interior of the tubular casing 50 is formed with ribs 56 adapted to engage slots 57 formed in the collar suitably splined to the poker 46. For vertically adjusting the poker 46, it may be provided with a threaded portion 59 co-operating with a suitable hand Wheel 60.

According to the preferred embodiment of the invention, the worms lei and are so constructed and bear such relation to the worm wheels 15 and 5 1 that a complete rotation of the shaft 16 results in a complete rotation of the poker 46, whereby the angular portion 47 thereof will engage the coal deposited by the feed hoppers and distribute the same, this timed relation being maintained throughout the entire operation of the producer;

. lVithin the lower end 51 of the casing 50 there is provided a bearing 61 having an upstanding portion 62 adapted to support an upstanding projecting deflector 68 located within a downwardly extending deflector 64 carried by the collar 58. Located centrally within the poker 46 is a water supply pipe 65 through which water is fed to the angular portion 47 of the poker into which it escapes and flows upwardly to the openings 67 above the collar 58 and thence around the collar into the interior of the casing 50. The deflectors 63 and 64'form a seal within the easing preventing the escape of any gases from the producer body. From the casing the water overflows through openings 66 and flows downwardly over a ring 68'provided with a downwardly projecting flange 68 extending into the pocket 69 formed in the worm wheel 54. This forms a second water seal preventing the escape of gases through the joint between the lower end 51 of the casing 50 and the sleeve 58. From the pocket 69 the water ojverfiows into the flanged cover 3, thereby cooling the entire upper surface of the producer. In order to prevent the escape ofgases between the exterior surface of the sleeve 53 and the cover 3, the worm wheel 54 is provided on its lower surface with a downwardly projecting blade '70 extending into the water held by the cover 3.

Co-operating with the bracket 48 to form the bearing 49 for theupper end of the cas ing 50 is a' clamp 71 suitably secured to the bracket. Upon removing the clamp 71 the entire poker may be moved laterally away from the bracket 48 as indicated in dotted lines in Figure 8, thereby permitting the re moval of the entire mechanism from the producer when required.

The poker construction herein disclosed is made the subject-matter of my co-pending application SerialNo. 405,152, filed August 21, 1920. y j

Each of the cams 18, 3ljand 40 may be controlled by a suitable clutch 72, whereby the partscontrolled thereby may be temporarily thrown out of operation if found desirable for any purpose. The clutches are preferably so designed. that it will be impossible to throw them in operative engagement, except in the timed relation described.

While I have illustrated a mechanism having two diametrically opposite feed openings, 1- do notwish to limit myself to this form, since it is obvious that a plurality of said openings maybe provided, and op- The advantages 'ofthe present invention for co-operating with said opening.

arise from the construction permitting ready arrangement of the operating mechanism to standard producers.

Further advantages arise from the timed relationship of the parts and from the con struction permitting ready assembling and disassembling thereof.

I claim:

1. A gas producer, comprising a cover having a feed opening therein, a feed hopper co-operating with said opening, a laterally movable cover for the upper end of said hopper, a closure for the lower end of said hopper, and mechanically operated means for periodically laterally moving said cover and moving said closure to inoperative positions, substantially as described.

2. A gas producer, comprising a cover having a feed opening therein, a feed hopper co-operating with said opening, a laterally movable cover for the upper end of said hopperfa closure for the lower end of said hopper, and mechanically operated means for periodically laterally moving said cover and moving said closure to inoperative positions at different times, substantially as described.

3. A gas producer, comprising a cover havmg a feed opening therein, a feed hopper cooperating with said opening, a laterally movable cover for the upper end of said hopper, a bell valve for the lower end. of said hopper, and mechanically operated means periodically moving said cover laterally and lowering said valve at dilferent times. substantially as described.

A gas producer, comprising a cover having a feed opening therein, a feed hopper co-operating with said opening, a bodily movable cover for the upper end of said hopper, a closure for the lower end of said hopper, mechanically operated means for periodically bodily moving said cover and said closure to open position, a feed supply above said hopper, 1 cans normally cutting off said supply, and means for moving said cut-off means to open position when said cover is in open posit-ion, substantially as described.

5. A gas producer, comprising a cover havmg a feed opening therein, a feed hopper a bodily movable cover for the upper end of said hopper, a closure for the lower end of said hopper, mechanically operated means for periodically bodily removing said cover and moving said closure to open position. a feed supply above said hopper, means normally cutting of]? said supply, and means for mov ing said cut-off means to open pos tion after said cover has been bodily removed from the hopper and moving the to closed position before said cover is replaced, substantially as described.

6. A gas producer, comprising a feed supt... lav.)

ply, a. cut-off for said supply, a hopper below said supply, a bodily movable cover for the upper end of said hopper, mechanically operated means for bodily removing said cover, and means for automatically moving said cut-off to open position when said cover is removed, substantially as described.

7. A gas producer, comprising a feed supply, a cut-0d for said supply, a hopper below said supply, a bodily movable cover for the upper end of said hopper, mechanically operated means for bodily removing said cover and means for automatically moving said cut-off to open position after said cover has been removed and moving said cut-off to closed position before said cover is re placed, substantially as described.

8. A gas producer, comprising afeed sup ply, a cut-off for said supply, a hopper below said supply, a cover for the upper end of said hopper, a closure for the lower end of said hopper, mechanically operated means for removing said cover, means for automatically moving said cut-off to inoperative position after said cover has been removed and moving the same to operative position before said cover is replaced, and means for moving said closure to inoperative position after said cover is replaced, substantially as describes 9. A gas producer, comprising a cover having a plurality of feed openings therein, a feed hopper co-operating with each of said openings, means controlling the supply of fuel intermittently through said hoppers, and means for distributing the fuel within the producer, said distributing means being operated in timed relation to the fuel feed, substantially as described.

10. A gas producer, comprising a cover having a feed opening therein, a hopper cooperating with said opening, means for feeding fuel into said hopper, means controlling the passage of fuel from said hopper into said producer, a fuel distributing device, and means for operating said fuel distributing device, in timed relation to the passage of fuel into the producer, substantially as described.

11. A gas producer, comprising a cover having a feed opening thereima feed hopper co-operating with said opening, a laterally movable cover for the upper end of said hopper, a closure for the lower end of said hopper, counterweight for maintaining said closure normally in, operative position, means for swinging said cover to inoperative position, means for lowering said closure against the action of the counterweight, and means for feeding fuel into said hopper when said cover is in inoperative position and said closure is in operative position, substantially as described.

12. A gas producer, comprising a cover having diametrically opposite feed openings therein, mechanically operated means for controlling the supply of fuel through said openings, said means being operable at sub stantially 180 from each other, and a dis tributing mechanism intermediatesaid feed openings for distributing the fuel after it is fed therethrough, substantially as described.

13. A gas producer, comprising a cover having diametrically opposite feed openings therein, mechanically operated means for controlling the supply of fuel through said openings, said means being operable at substantially 180 from each other, a distributing mechanism intermediate said feed openings for distributing the fuel after it is fed therethrough, and means for cooling said distributing mechanism, substantially as described.

14;. A gas producer, comprisinga cover having a plurality of feed openings therein, a feed hopper co-operating with each of said openings, means controlling the supply of fuel intermittently through said hoppers, and means for distributing the fuel after it is fed through said openings, substantially as described. I

15. A gas producer, comprising a cover having diametrically opposite feed openings therein, mechanically operative means for controlling the supply of fuel fed through said openings, said means being operable at substantially 180 from each other, a distributing mechanism intermediate said feed openings for distributing the fuel as it is fed therethrough, and mechanically operative means for moving said mechanism in timed relation to said first mentioned means, substantially as described.

16. A gas producer, comprising a cover having diametrically opposite feed openings therein, mechanically operated means for controlling the supply of fuel through said openings, said means being operable at substantially 180from each other, a distributing mechanism intermediate said fuel openings for distributing the fuel after it is fed therethrough, mechanically operated means for moving the said mechanism in timed relation to said first mentioned means, and means for cooling said distributing mechanism, substantially as described.

17. A gas producer, comprising a cover having a plurality of feed openings therein, a feed hopper eo-operating with each of said openings, a laterally movable cover for the upper end of each of said hoppers, a closure for the lower end of each of said hoppers, and mechanically operated means for periodically laterally moving said covers and moving said closures to inoperative positions, substantially as described.

18. A gas producer, comprising a cover having a plurality of feed openings therein,

a feed hopper co-operating with each of said 1 openings, a laterally movable cover for the upper end of each of said hoppers, a closure for the lower end of each of said hoppers, and mechanically operated means for periodically laterally moving said covers and moving said closures to inoperative positions at different times, substantially as described.

19. A gas producer, comprising a cover having a plurality of feed openings therein, a feed hopper co-operating with each of said openings, a laterally movable cover for the upper end of each of said hoppers, a bell valve for the lower end of each of said hoppers, and mechanically operated means for periodically moving said covers laterally and lowering said valves at different times, substantially as described.

20. In a gas producer, a cover having a plurality of feed openings, a feed hopper cooperating with each of said openings, a laterally movable cover for the upper end of each of said hoppers, a closure for the lower end of each of said hoppers, mechanically operated means for periodically laterally moving said covers and moving said closures to inoperative positions at different times, and means for rendering the operating means for any of said covers or closures-inoperative without affecting the operation of the others, substantially as described.

21. In a gas producer, a cover having a plurality of feed openings therein, a feed hopper cooperating with each of said open ings, a laterally movable cover for the upper end of each of said hoppers, a closure for the lower end of each of said hoppers, mechanically operated means for periodically laterally moving said covers and moving said closures to inoperative positions, and means for rendering the operating means for any of said covers or closures independently inoperative, substantially as described.

22. In a gas producer, a cover having a plurality of feed openings therein, a feed hopper cooperating with each of said openings, means controlling the supply of fuel alternately through said hoppers, and means for distributing the fuel after it is fed through said openings, substantially as described.

23. In a gas producer, a cover having a plurality of feed openings therein, a feed hopper cooperating with each of said openings, means controlling the supply of fuel through said hoppers, and means for rendering the controlling means for either of said hoppers independently inoperative, substan tially as described.

24. In a gas producer, a cover having a plurality of feed openings therein, a feed hopper cooperating with each of said openings, means controlling the supply of fuel through said hoppers, means for rendering the controlling means for either of said hoppers independently inoperative, and means for distributing the fuel after it is fed through said openings, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand.

ED GAR H. WILSON. 

